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The Prophet from Kentucky

I liked this sympathetic biography in the Twayne author series; not a critical biography by any means, but it's an excellent introduction to the writings and life of Berry. The author develops the idea that though some comparisons can be made (Faulkner, Thorough, Twain, etc.), seldom has an American writer used essays, fiction, and poetry to develop a consistent set of themes. These are themes that resonate with me, whether it's because of the small, agriculture-based towns I've known as place, or the continuity that runs through both Berry's work and the assumptions of a postmodernist such as myself, I don't know. Chiefly, I would highlight Berry's views re: the relationship b/t corporate greed and the consumer economy; decline of the work ethic (and view of work as good); the pernicious influence of mass media and cable news talking heads; and "the importance of meaningful work that enables us to take part in the cycles of nature rather than . . . labor saving machines dependent upon petroleum energy." There is at least one other biography that I know of . . . I plan to check it out. Angyal does have Berry's support, so this authorized in some sense. An excerpt from one of the author's interviews concludes the volume.

Waste of time, but only an hour or so

Contains countless spelling/grammatical errors, authorial hubris of the worst kind, and very little first-hand accounts. Not one interview with Jack. Just looking for something to hold me over for a few weeks til the new CD.

If I were . . .

teaching some kind of group introduction to postmodernism, this might be a good primer. Very accessible. Uses quasi-popular films (Memento, probably the quintessential postmodern movie, is one) to introduce Derrida, Foucault, and Lyotard to a lay Christian audience.